Gar-coupling



No. 6l6,88|. Patented Jan. 3, I899.

M. M. BISHOP. v

CAR COUPLING. :A ueafion filed Feb. 11, 1898.)

(NuModaL) v 3 Sheets-Sheet l.

No. 6|6,88l. Patented Ian. 3, I899.

M. M. BISHOP.

CAR COUPLING.

(Application flied Feb. 11, 1398. (N0 Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

g l I, l I, I \I I Li was. 13' E i .1

I 02 N VEN I'EIPF TTEET- 3 if $4M UNITED STATES PATENT OEErcE.

MARSHALL M. BISHOP, OF EVANS MILLS, NEiV YORK, ASSIGNOR OF 'll/VO- THIRDS TO FREDERICK E. OROISSANT, OF ANTvVERP, AND HORACE XV. SMITH, OF STERLINGVILLE, NEW YORK.

GAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 616,881, dated January 3, 1899.

Application filed February 11, 1898. Serial No. 670,001. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARSHALL M. BISHOP, of Evans Mills, in the county of Jefferson and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Car-Couplings, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

The object of my invention is the production of a car-coupling of simplified construction absolutely operative under all conditions, wherein duplicate-like coupling-heads are utilized, in which a knuckle-like hook or engaging arm is utilized, a device which is positive and reliable in operation, wherein in one integral formation a knuckle, tongue, and trailer pivotally operative in conjunction with the coupler-head is employed, a coupling or locking pin also operative therewith, and in the employment of certain details of construction imparting increased efficiency and reliability of operation to the coupler.

Referring to the drawings accompanying this specification, Figure 1 is a top plan of one 2 5 of the pair of companion-like opposing coupling-heads entering into my construction of a car-coupling, the pin being represented in a position for lockingly holding the couplingheads in a coupled attitude; Fig. 2, a side elevation of said antagonistic coupler-head in a locked or coupled position; Fig. 3, a vertical longitudinal section taken along dotted line w w, Fig. 1, of the drawings, as delineating my device in a coupled position; Fig. 4:, a ver- 5 tical longitudinal section taken along the aforementioned line in Fig. 1, illustrating my invention as uncoupled and the looking-pin resting or riding upon the trailer of the knuckle-hook; Fig. 5, a horizontal longitudi- 40 nal section taken along dotted line so as, Fig. 2, showing my coupling in a locked or coupled condition 5 and Fig. 6, a sectional view on a corresponding plane, same figure, illustrative of my device as uncoupled or open and the locking-pin resting on the trailer of the tongue or tail appertaining to the knucklehook forming an essential feature of my de vice.

Corresponding letters and ordinals designate like parts throughout the views of the drawings.

My invention consists in the novel features of construction, cooperativeness, and combination, and manner of operation hereinafter described and which are specifically set forth in the annexed claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, utilized in connection with my specification. Its construction and operation are as now stated;

1 indicates one of a pair of corresponding coupling-heads and integral draw-bar portions, but one of the pair being illustrated for the reason that such is all-sufficient for properexemplification of my invention,

A specifically designates the recessed or chambered coupling-head of one of the an, tagonistic members appertaining to my device, and A a fragmentary portion of the in tegral draw-bar thereof, while B denotes the knuckle-hook member, pivotally mounted at the forward portion of the coupling-head by means of a vertical pin or bolt a, passing through the body portion of the knuckle-hook by means of an alining-orifice or bolt-hole a, which aforesaid pin is provided with a head adapted to rest upon the top surface of the coupler-head, its stem or shank portion passing through circular holes a a in the horizontal ear-like portions of the head, alining with the hole a in the knuckle-hook member tween the ears I) I) mentioned.

0 denotes a Vertical pin-hole through the hook or grapple portion B of the knucklehook member, and c a horizontal slot or recess midway the height of such knuckle-hook, thereby adapting the utilization of an ordinary coupling pin and link in instances where a contiguous car awaiting coupling is not provided with a coupler-head and mechanism of my type. v

. Rearwardlyand at an angle to the projection of the hook part B of the knuckle-hook member there extends backward a suitable dis- 5 tance a tail or tongue portion B", terminating in a trailer extension 13 of segmental contour longitudinally and extending at an angle to the tail, and its projection being in an adverse direction to that of the hook proper of the knuckle-hook member, yet all disposed upon a substantially likehorizontal plane, which tail and its trailer are integrally formed with the central body and hook of the aforereferred-to pivotal member, the construction and arrangement thereof being clearly shown in the figures of the drawings.

2 is denotive of a recess or cavity extending into the coupler-head A from its front face and of requisite width and depth, which said horizontal cavity or chamber has a continuation 2 of elongated and segment-like contour longitudinally, which auxiliary cavity or recess is preferably at its top boundary coincident with the top plane of the cavity 2 and its bottom located upon a somewhat higher horizontal plane, said aforesaid conjoint and connecting cavities or chambers being receptive of the trailer and tail portions of the knuckle-hook memberB, the curvilinear cavity receiving the trailer 13 and the outer cavity the tail B", there being provided ample leeway for the thrust or travel of said parts thereby within the hollowed interior of the coupling-head.

The rear portion of the trailer 13" of the knuckle member has a raised or cam-acting portion G integral with the remainder of said trailer, which cam portion is as to its face of \-1ike contour longitudinally,its operative face comprising slight inclines d d, united by a slight horizontally-level surface cl. The remaining depressed top face of the trailer is level andits bottom edge substantially so.

8 3 indicate a vertical passage or bore through my coupler-head A contiguous the forward edge or face of its swelled body portion and being located sufficiently away from the front to insure of there being that amount of metal between it and the forward edge as will insure all needed strength against the strain that may be entailed by a gravity coupling pin or bolt whenever same is thoroughly seated to utmost limit within the receptive pin-hole 8 3 priorly mentioned.

As is discernible, the passage or pin-hole 73 3 is broken from continuity by the cavity 2. However, the upper portion 3 and the lower portion 3 are in alinement, as shown. This pin-hole may be circular, as shown, or square in cross section, according to the transverse contour of the coupling or locking pin employed. This gravity locking pin or bolt of requisite weightiness I designate by the ordinal 4 and comprising an elongated shank or stem 6, a flange-like head a, and an eye portion e, projecting briefly above its head, and pivotally connected with said eye portion I may provide any satisfactory or suit able pin-manipulating lever or rod 5, leading to the side or end of a car and thereat erected and arranged in any manner preferred.

At a suflicient distance rearward of the pin or bolt t there is pivotally erected upon the top of the draw or coupling head portion an L-like dog or trip-lever D, pivotally secured at the rear of its horizontal base portion to ears ff, arising from the coupler-body and pivotally retaining the interposed extremity of the dog aforementioned by means of a pivotpin 9.

The perpendicular arnrlike portion of aforestated dog terminates at its top in a bent finger 7L, adapted, as is obvious, to under certain conditions engage the under side of a contiguous portion of the head 6 of the pin or bolt 4.

Beneath the central portion of the base extension of the dog or trip-lever D and just forward of the lugs or ears ff there is a moderate-sized cavity or recess 1' of rectangular shape, extending from the top surface of the coupler-body such a degree as is necessary for the easy occupancy thereof of a square-like head of a lug E, comprising, in conjunction with such head, a cylindrical stem or shank Z, rounded at its bottom, as at m, which stem, depending integrally from the head a requisite degree, loosely occupies an aperture or bore n of smaller diameter than the cavity 2', wherefrom it downwardly extends, communicating with the chamber 2', occupied by the trailer of the knuckle hook under certain conditions. able required rise and fall of the lug E for the carrying out of the function designed for. Perpendicularly through the base of the dog member and meshing with the threaded bore through which it penetrates is an adjusting or regulating screw F, having a slotted head and the end of its stem abutting the top of the vertically-movable lug E, the function of such regulating-screw being to regulate the degree of play of the dog member.

The pointed projection 17 of the coupler head acts as a buffer when two antagonistic heads are in coupled relation.

The operation of my device is, in brief, as follows: lVhen the knuckle-hook member is in that position whereby it is retained lockingly by the gravity-pin-to wit, in a coupling attitudethe lug member rests upon the level top surface of the trailer extension of such knuckle member, and the dog is obviously in an attitude admitting its engagement with the under side of the flange-like head of the gravity locking-pin, when same may be lifted by the operator requisite height to clear the trailer of the knuckle-hook and retained at such location by the finger or lip of the pivoted dog, and when so upheld permitting of the forward swing of the knucklehook member and uncoupling from an antagonistic coupler-head, such movement entailing the raising of the lug member by reason of the action of the cam portion of the trailer and causing the swinging away and clearing of the dog from the head of the gravity-pin, permitting said pins precipitation and the resting thereof on the level face of the trailer and continuing to ride or rest thereon while the knuckle-hook member moves outward,

As is discernible, there is al1owassuming a position for couplingi. e., a receptive attitude for engagement with a like portion of an opposing coupling-head located on another car. Evidently when contact is had the blow entails the instantaneous rearward travel of the knuckle-hook member in a pivotal manner of progression and to such degree as to carry the angular junction of the trailer and tail sufficiently rearward to clear the orifice in the coupler-head provided for the gravity locking-pin, permitting said pin, if not priorly raised and suspended above the member, to be through gravity instantaneously precipitated downward in front of the contiguous portion of the kn uckle-hook member and occupying the pin-holes in the head, serving to retain the knuckle-hook in a coupling attitude. The lug invariably raises from the center.

The many evident advantages of my coupler are evident, especially to those versed in the construction of car couplings.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-=- 1. A car coupling comprising the head, and the pivoted knuckle-hook having the trailer, combined with the gravity-pin, the exposed pivoted dog mounted upon said head and adapted to engage the head of said pin and maintain the pin in an elevated position, and means for tilting said dog to release said pin in order that it may ride on and then descend in front of said trailer on the inward move ment of the latter; substantially as set forth.

2. In a car-coupling of the character described, the gravity locking-pin having the head, combined with the exposed pivoted dog adapted to engage said head when the pin is elevated and thus maintain the pin in its elevated position, and means for automatically releasing the dogfrom said pin upon the.

movement inward of the knuckle-hook member of the coupling; substantially as set forth.

3. In a car-coupling, the knuckle-hook pivoted member having the inwardly-extending trailer whose upper surface presents a cam, combined with the gravity locking-pin, the exposed trip-dog pivoted upon the couplerhead and adapted to engage said pin and maintain the same in an elevated position, and the lug below said dog and above said trailer and adapted to be acted upon by said cam to move said dog; substantially as set forth.

4. In a car-coupling,arecessed coupler-head,

a knuckle-hook member pivotally secured to the forward end, said pivotal member comprising a knuckle, tail and a trailer,the trailer adapted to occupy an elongated cavity in the coupler-head body, said trailer being of segment shape longitudinally and having a camacting protuberance, a lug capable of operation thereby, a dog adapted to movement by aforesaid lug, and a gravity locking-pin movably erected in advance of the dog and adaptable of engagement and release thereby, sub stantially as described.

5. In a car-coupling,the knuckle-hook member having the segmental trailer, combined with the gravity locking-pin whose vertical plane is in the path of said trailer, the tripdog adapted to engage said pin and hold it in an elevated position, and means for releasing said dog and pin from one another so that said pin may ride along and remain on the upper surface of said trailer during the out ward and inward motion of said knuckle= hook member and descend below said trailer only upon the completion of the inward motion of said knuckle-hook member; substan+ tially as set forth.

6. In a car-coupling the knuckle-hook member having the segmental trailer, combined with the gravity locking-pin whose vertical plane is in the path of said trailer and whose upper portion is provided with a head, the pivoted trip-dog whose upper end is normally in the path of said head and automatically engages the latter when the pin is raised to move said head above said upper end and thus tilt the said dog outward temporarily but permitting it to return by gravity to its normal position, and means for releasing said dog and pin from one another on the outward movement of said knuckle-hook member so that said pin will during such movement ride on said trailer, the latter being of such form and extent that it prevents said pin from descending below the trailer except when the knuckle-hook member is moved entirely inward; substantially as set forth.

I 'In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name, in the presence of two attesting witnesses, at Evans Mills, in the county of Jefferson, in the State of New York, this 22d day of November, 1897.

MARSHALL M. BISHOP. [n s.]

Witnesses:

, B. M. STRANG,

CHARLES PETRIE. 

